Hawai‘i is often seen as a paradise for surfing and golfing today, but it was once a proud native kingdom with international connections. In the late 19th century, it experienced a turbulent history unknown to most. Ka Lei Haole Ma Hope o ka La¯hui a me ka Noho Ali‘i o Hawai‘i and its English version, A Lei of Haole, the Garland of Whites in Support of the Nation and the Throne of Hawai‘i, show that many Caucasians (Haole) supported independence and a strong monarchy, just like most Hawaiians. These texts highlight non-Hawaiian supporters of the Kingdom, from ‘Olohana (John Young) to Senator Richard F. Pettigrew and President Grover Cleveland.

The two versions fulfill a need in Hawai‘i’s educational institutions, from kula kaiapuni (immersion schools), charter schools, and public and private schools, to the University of Hawai‘i, a “Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.” The book’s content reaches far beyond the Islands and, in our tumultuous times, is relevant to the entire globe.